Page 59 of Caught Stealing

“All right then, let’s get on it, sweetness.” I release her face after brushing away one more tear and take her hand. I take a step to lead her toward the lot, but she yanks me back. Thank goodness it’s my good arm or I’d be wincing and sore all over again, because she’s got a good grip for such a little one.

“Wait a minute there, Rossi. You forgot something.”

I stumble to a stop beside her and follow her gaze to the concessions stand.

“I still want ice cream. You promised.”

A deep laugh comes up from the depths of my chest. She’s the cutest, sweetest, prettiest woman I’ve ever met, and I want to give her literally every single thing she asks for, including a chocolate dipped ice cream cone with sprinkles. Once she’s got her treat, we walk hand in hand to the lot where she explains why chocolate is the superior flavor. We can’t ride while she’s got a cone, so I take it slow until we approach my bike.

I strapped the extra helmet to the back in case she wanted to ride. When we stop beside it her eyes go wide. “It’s purple. And very sparkly.”

“I thought it might be your favorite color based on Ginger’s leash and collar. I hope I’m not off,” I admit.

Her ice cream is melting fast but she’s too distracted by the helmet to care. “You got it specifically for me?”

I settle on the seat and flip up the kickstand. It’s now or never. She wants honesty, she’s gonna get it. “I did. Because something tells me you’re gonna be my forever girl, Lottie Clarke.” I glance at her, her mouth slightly ajar. “I can’t wait until you realize it too.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Charlotte

There is no part of me that is not pressed against Andrew’s back. The bike isn’t big enough for a roomy back seat, but I try not to think about that while he explains how to be his backpack without getting us injured on the ride. I thought the kiss would occupy my mind all night, but it turns out there are other things that trump it. Namely, this man laying claim to me in ways no one else ever has. I’m pretty sure we passed see how it goes right on over to a game of chase he’s determined to win.

“All set? Ready to go?” he asks.

I nod, admittedly a little scared. He slides on his helmet, hiding everything but those gorgeous eyes of his. Somebody help me. I’m drowning in his gaze, but it’s focused on his task—getting my helmet fitted just right and strapped on. My head bobs a little under the weight but he adjusts and helps me ease into it. He gives me a thumbs-up, and I nod again.

He faces forward again and leans down, so I do as he instructed and wrap my arms tightly around him, remembering to support myself on the gas tank when we have to stop. When the bike roars to life, I’m hooked. Yep. Anticipation and adrenaline soar through me, and I am ready for this adventure. He checks my hands to make sure I’m good to go and eases us forward. Traveling the parking lot slowly, he gives me a chance to get comfortable and adjust before turning onto the main road.

After that, it’s a game of hold on tight while he takes the turns toward the pub. The evening air is cool against my skin at this speed, and there is something entirely different about traveling at night this way. I remember not to bonk his helmet with mine when we stop at a red light and support my weight. Those dragon sized butterflies come to life when he squeezes my knee for a split second before the light turns green.

All in all, there are definitely worse ways to get from point A to point B. When we arrive at our destination, I try to remember what to do. I’ve all but forgotten since he’s got my mind so frazzled I’m not even sure where the lines in our relationship are anymore. Since I seem to be doing the wrong thing, he removes his helmet and twists on the bike to help me with mine. Suddenly, I can hear again.

“I’ll need to get these fixed with comms so you can hear me. You can hop down.”

I run my hands through my hair and slide off the back, almost faceplanting when my feet finally hit the ground. Andrew grips my shoulder and keeps me up while getting off the bike. He hands me the helmet and nods toward the pub.

“Should probably take the helmets inside with us since this is a public lot. You mind?”

“No, not at all. Lead the way.”

I follow him into The Salty Dog where laughter and shouts spill into the street the moment he opens the door.

“Rossi!” Koa shouts at the top of his lungs and raises his hand. Andrew chuckles but leads me to where his friend and a group of other players are huddled around a dartboard. My stomach churns when I see a group of beautiful women seated at the large table behind them. This is all too familiar, but at the same time it’s completely different. Andrew is a different man, and I hate that I have to keep reminding myself of that.

“Look who I brought,” Andrew says and steps aside to show me off. I didn’t realize I was practically hiding behind him until he moves and puts his arm around my shoulders.

“It isn’t every day Rossi brings a woman around,” a tall brunette says. Her green eyes take me in and her lips curve into a smile.

“You mean never,” another woman adds. “This is monumental.”

Andrew’s cheeks redden but he introduces me. “This is Jess Travers,” he says, motioning toward the brunette. “She’s the coach’s niece and married to Paxon Travers who is currently making a fool of himself pretending he can play darts. And this is Katie Keaton, Koa’s little sister.”

“It’s nice to meet you both,” I say, extending my hand to each of them.

“You must be Lottie. Koa told me you and Andrew were sort of seeing each other,” Katie says.

“Kit Kat, you weren’t supposed to say anything,” Koa says and ruffles her hair. She gives him the standard sibling glare and rolls her eyes.

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